Magazine

Married. With Money.

By Sallie Krawcheck

May 31, 2018

Talking money is hardly romantic, but it’s totally necessary for any serious relationship. Whether you’ve got a ring on it, are domestically partnered, or sure you’re in it for the long haul — regular money talks are a must.

Not to get all Debbie Downer, but divorce and widowhood are distinct possibilities for all married women, and one study found that women’s household income falls 41% after a divorce and 37% after a spouse dies. Compare that to 22% for men suffering the same fate, and it’s clear that for women (especially women in relationships with men), staying in the loop — even if your partner handles all the finances — is just smart planning, like a will or life insurance.

An Ellevate poll shows that about 85% of women surveyed are actively involved in managing finances with their partner, and only around 3% let their spouse handle everything. Whether you’re hands-on or laissez-faire, there's no “right” way — every couple does what works for them. But no matter what your arrangement is, getting together with your partner for a regular "deep dive" into your financial picture can give you more peace of mind, at the very least.

So here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Gather your important financial documents

You’ll need to calculate your net worth and sketch out a budget, and this requires getting all your proverbial ducks in row: your most recent statements for checking and savings accounts, any debt you’re carrying, and investment accounts. While you’re at it, if you haven’t seen your insurance policies or a living will, ask your partner to dust those off and bring them to the table as well.

Step 2: Calculate money in, out, saved, and invested.

Hopefully, there won’t be any huge surprises here. But if you see you’re spending more than you earn, investing before you pay off high-interest and unsecured debt, or you’re left with too little at the end of the month to invest well, you’ll need to recalibrate your budget. See where you can cut down spending so you can pay down debt aggressively, and make sure you’re “paying yourself first.” This means saving up three to six months' of expenses in case of an emergency, and investing in a retirement account.

Step 3: Get your goals together, and plan for them.

If you’re not sure what to invest in, start with your retirement. I can’t overstress how important this is for every woman. Think a company 401(k) is enough? Maybe for a guy, but remember, women outlive men by 14 years. We also make less than they do (for now) and we take more career breaks. This means we need even more to retire, so contributing more of your income to a low-cost, well-diversified portfolio — in addition to your company 401(k) plan — is generally a smart move.

Step 4: Paint your retirement picture

This is where the “dreaming big” happens. When you and your partner leave the daily grind for good, where do you want go? A big Victorian house by a lake? Or do you want to downsize to a condo and travel the world? Once you’re clear on what you’re planning for, you can assign a specific number to your goal.

Step 5: Check on your other investments

You may have other investment accounts outside of retirement, and that’s great! But how are your joint assets allocated? If your partner is “in charge” of these accounts, make sure you know what they are and that you're on the same page with your partner about their risk.

No matter where the conversation takes you or what your financial plan looks like, the key here is to talk, keep talking, and ask lots of questions.

All opinions and views expressed by Ellevest are current as of the date of this writing, for informational purposes only, and do not constitute or imply an endorsement of any third-party’s products or services.

Information was obtained from third party sources, which we believe to be reliable but not guaranteed for accuracy or completeness.

The information provided should not be relied upon as investment advice or recommendations, does not constitute a solicitation to buy or sell securities and should not be considered specific legal, investment or tax advice.

The information provided does not take into account the specific objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any specific person.

Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. There is no guarantee that any particular asset allocation or mix of funds will meet your investment objectives or provide you with a given level of income.

Investing entails risk including the possible loss of principal and there is no assurance that the investment will provide positive performance over any period of time.

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